Fitness Trends 2016: The New Year's Fitness Forecast

Knowing what's hot and what's not in this year's fitness trends could be the key to sticking to all your New Year's training resolutions. Based on some surveys from the American College of Sports Medicine, we've laid out the top 6 fitness trends for 2016 to keep you in the loop and in shape.

1. Wearable Tech

Fitness is all about numbers and the best way to keep track of those numbers is through wearable technology. From the number of steps you take during the day to monitoring your heart rate, wearables aren't going anywhere, which places them right at the top of the list in fitness trends for 2016. Besides functioning as an activity trackers, wearable tech provide 27/7 accountability. By knowing exactly how much you are moving around via an activity tracker, you'll be much more prone to getting ALL those steps in.

2. Bodyweight Training

Bodyweight training isn't just super efficient; it's also extremely convenient and low-cost. There's no need to worry about the equipment you'll need. Exercises like push-ups, squats, crunches, lunges, and planks are great for bodyweight training. If you're looking to get more advanced, equipment like TRX helps to expand your bodyweight training with more higher-intensity and strength exercises.

3. High Intensity Interval Training

High intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, has always been a staple in the sporting world. Number three for our training trend for 2016 combines both aerobic and anaerobic fitness as well as increasing endurance, muscle, and strength all at the same time. HIIT workouts are tough, but they lead to a huge metabolic boost for up to 48 hours post-HIIT workout. The benefits of a HIIT workout can cut your workout time in half and lead to similar results as a full 60-minute regular cardio session.

4. Strength Training

As more and more women embrace the possibilities of strength training (a phenomenon we highlighted in The Power of Girls Who Lift), the goal of a strong body is being embraced across the fitness community as a whole. The benefits are enormous, from building stronger bones and reducing risk of diabetes and heart disease to fighting obesity. Take your fitness trends for 2016 to the weight room because strong is the new fit!

5. Personal Training

The best way to get the most out of your gym membership and some extra motivation at the gym is to hire a personal trainer. Most of the equipment at gyms can be intimidating, which makes us hesitant to use it. This is where your personal trainer becomes an asset. Not only can they instruct you on how to be comfortable with the equipment, they can be your extra motivation in reaching your goals. In fact, a common thread through many of the journeys in our Fitness Transformation series is the incredibly impactful help of personal trainers, as seen in Claudia's story, Scott's story, and Eli's story, among many more.

6. Fitness Apps

Counting calories isn't especially fun, and finding the best way to track them can be even more of a burden. The right fitness application can give you the help you need to count calories, track burned calories, and nutritional intake; apps like MyFitnessPal also pair very well with meal management systems. Explore previously trending fitness apps in our 2015 and 2014 guides, as well as some Apple Watch fitness apps we featured. You can even input the meals from your meal management bag ahead of time to help better plan your meal prep for the week! With your meal prep on hand in your Innovator 500 and the ability to easily track your intake via your preferred app, there are truly no excuses.

Combining your fitness trends for 2016 with the healthy diet made possible through consistent meal prep is sure to help you reach your fitness goals in no time. With every New Year, new trends make it easier for us to get in shape and take care of our bodies, while keeping it fun and interactive.

Check out even more of our meal prep ideas, recipes, and meal management bags to make the most out of the fitness trends of 2016!